Intravenous sedation is an alternative sedation that allows patients to remain unconscious during procedures. The doctor will combine the use of intravenous sedation with a local anesthetic so that you feel little or no discomfort and do not remember the procedure. Oral sedation helps you feel calm and relaxed during the procedure, but you will continue to feel pain. For this reason, we always combine oral sedation with a local anesthetic to ensure that you are also comfortable and painless. Local anesthesia, also commonly known as novocaine, is used during most dental procedures.
Your dentist will give this medication as an injection and is designed to temporarily numb the area. Local anesthesia is the only sedation option that completely eliminates pain. Nitrous oxide combined with local anesthetics ensures pain relief and reduced anxiety in many patients. It is useful because the dosage can be adjusted during treatment and usually patients can drive shortly after completing the procedure. Other forms of sedation last longer, can cause more profound effects, and generally require you to arrange for safe transportation to your home.
Davis & Beyer Dental Health Professionals has the skill, tools and experience to provide you with the ideal type and degree of sedation or anesthesia for your dental needs. Common local anesthetics used in dentistry include lidocaine, articaine, prilocaine, mepivacaine, and bupivacaine. With an intravenous drip that sends the sedative directly into the bloodstream, you'll experience moderate to deep sedation and generally won't be able to perceive all but the most aggressive stimuli. Modern advances in sedation and anesthesia have made dental work easier and more comfortable than ever. Intravenous sedation induces a kind of twilight dream; you may feel depressed and beside yourself, and you may sleep without losing consciousness completely.
Nitrous oxide sedation works well for younger dental patients and for anyone who only needs a mild sedative at the start of a routine dental procedure. If no oral sedative is given before general anesthesia is given, you should wake up quickly after the procedure. If you need this type of sedation, your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions before the procedure. This form of sedation is administered through an intravenous (IV) route, making its effectiveness and onset of action more predictable. For patients with higher levels of anxiety, an oral or injectable sedative may be given before nitrous oxide use begins. Patients may choose to use local anesthesia alone or combine it with other types of conscious sedation.
This manuscript could be a useful reading on the current state of conscious sedation in dentistry and an important starting point for future perspectives. You may be wondering which anesthesia and sedation options you can choose and which type makes the most sense for your particular circumstances. Liquid medication followed by nitrous oxide is beneficial for children to produce a level of deep sedation. Combining local anesthesia with other forms of conscious sedation can provide a safe and comfortable experience during dental procedures. Intravenous (IV) sedation is one option that allows patients to remain unconscious during their procedure while still providing pain relief from local anesthesia.
Oral sedatives are also available but should always be combined with a local anesthetic to ensure complete comfort throughout the procedure. Nitrous oxide is another option that can be used in combination with local anesthesia to reduce anxiety levels while still providing pain relief. No matter which type of anesthesia or conscious sedation you choose, it's important to discuss your options with your dentist beforehand so that they can provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. Your dentist will also be able to adjust dosages as needed during treatment so that you remain comfortable throughout.
